Inclusion Starts with You: Mark Freed at the Construction Inclusion Coalition Conference

At Men for Inclusion, we’re always looking for opportunities to support meaningful conversations about equality, diversity, and inclusion – and the recent Construction Inclusion Coalition ‘Coalition in Conversation’ conference was exactly that.

The Alliance’s work to embed inclusion and belonging across the construction industry is inspiring. They’re not just talking about change – they’re creating spaces where real conversations happen, where lived experience matters, and where people leave with practical ideas they can act on.

Mark Freed had the honour of leading a keynote, joining a panel, and running a workshop at the event, and the feedback was incredibly humbling. Attendees said his session offered a fresh perspective, kept them engaged through storytelling, and provided practical hints and tips. Many appreciated the personal stories and lived experience he shared, describing it as thought-provoking, authentic, and a real “lightbulb moment.” Several highlighted that it gave them useful insights on reflecting on their own behaviours and approaching EDI, while others valued how he connected the discussion back to his parents and personal experiences.

Huge credit to the Construction Inclusion Alliance for creating such an engaging, thoughtful, and practical space for change recognising all those that made it happen – Anthea Marris and Jen Cassidy. Events like this remind us why it’s so important to involve men in inclusion work — not as bystanders, but as active participants in creating a more inclusive industry.

Let’s keep building on better – together – and not forget ‘inclusion starts with YOU 💪